Three confidently spoken words define Joe Zimka.

“Do it again,” the sophomore goal keeper said when asked what he does for an encore after leading the NCAA in goals-against average and save percentage.

Zimka lands at No. 3 on our top 10 list, compliments of a stingy defensive line, a berth in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and the aforementioned national accolades.

Armed with an explosive and strong 6’4″, 206-pound frame, Zimka aggressively patrols the goal’s mouth.

The barrel-chested goalie is incredibly assertive and efficient in securing air-born balls. Several times this year in bold pursuit of bounding balls, Zimka used his ample size with a determined abandonment of physical well-being, solely focused on capturing a loose ball.

A reserve to start the season, Zimka set a lofty preseason goal.

“I told assistant coach Eric Luzzi I wanted to lead the nation in goals-against average,” Zimka said. “I think it can happen again this year, too. We’ve got our entire defense back. So I want to set the bar even higher this time around.”

This is something NIU head coach Steve Simmons is sure opponents will notice.

“I told Joe you have the best goals-against in history,” Simmons said. “But don’t be held hostage by those numbers, because from here on, we will get every team’s best game of their season.”

It was a Sept. 17, game eight of the season, after a 5-0 loss to Washington when Zimka got the call to man the pipes against Portland.

A 1-0 win that Sunday, a 0-0 tie three days later against Notre Dame while stopping Notre Dame star Greg Dalby, chosen No. 17 in the MLS Super Draft by the Colorado Rapids, firmly entrenched Zimka as the starting keeper. All that caused him to realize the team was primed to get on a roll.

“It was the bus ride home from South Bend,” Zimka said. “People congratulated me, and I realized that we just held one of the best scorers (Dalby) in the nation at bay.”

All the pieces are in place for a successful MAC regular and postseason title defense, and a return trip to the NCAA Tournament, Zimka said.

Although his squad fell short of its ultimate goal, an NCAA title, Simmons said the key for another deep run in the tournament will reside in proper preparation to maintain a high level of consistency.

“Joe can be even better,” Simmons added. “An increase in training mentality combined with the experience of playing as a sophomore will help as we face a top 15 schedule that will leave little margin for error.”